View Full Version : First Gun
So I am 25, and have a few friend's that enjoy hunting, and just going out shooting. I don't own any guns and don't necessarily want to start hunting but I would definitely love going out and having fun just shooting at some targets with these friends of mine. My question for you is what would be fun to start shooting with, a handgun, a rifle, or what suggestions do you have? All comments will be reviewed. Much thanks![M2]
Bailey Guns
08-20-2012, 11:41
Start with some sort of safety class. A basic NRA pistol class or something similar. Then start looking for a gun.
How much do you want to spend.
maybe get a SW MP 15-22.
Cheap to shoot
Can customize
Shoot great
Cheap to buy when compared
Also you can't go wrong with a Glock 19 in 9mm.
Start with some sort of safety class. A basic NRA pistol class or something similar. Then start looking for a gun.
now I know you don't care to hunt, but a Hunters safety class would not be a bad idea. I took a friend shooting who had not been around guns. Now i'm no pro, i'm not a LEO or military but I grew up around shooting and I have never seen a person so ignorant with a weapon as him. we packed up and left since he would not listen..
Personally, I'd go with an AR and a .22 conversion. Cheap to shoot, and you have more long term options than with a MP15-22.
As you know man, offer stands that if you want to buy the ammo and gas, we can drive up to the hills and break mine out.
Troublco
08-20-2012, 11:50
I'll second the safety class; best to get familiar with firearms before getting really hands-on with them.
After that, I'd say think about what you want to do with it. Self-defense? Recreational shooting? A combination? Then ask around, and make your decision.
Hard to go wrong with a .22 rifle to start with, though. You can always use one. My first was a Ruger 10/22, and I still have it.
alan0269
08-20-2012, 12:23
The safety class is always a good idea.
I would have to say go with a .22 rifle. You could get one that is fairly basic or a decked out AR style, depending on what you want to spend. The good things about it are that it's cheap to shoot, you can shoot them at most (every one that I know of) indoor ranges and always at outdoor ranges, if you decide to take up hunting you can use it for a lot of the small game critters in CO, and (let's hope this doesn't happen) if you decide shooting is not for you there is usually a pretty good market out there for used ones.
Well what are you more interested Handguns or rifles?
What have you shot?
You can't beat a .22lr to learn on and plink without breaking the bank. Troublco is right a 10/22 or even a mk2-3 wouldn't be a bad first start.
yankeefan98121
08-20-2012, 12:33
IF you decide on a rifle, (after HS class) Marlin model 60, you can find them used for aobut $100 and it's plenty to have fun with.
22 and 410 is a great place to start . id start with a single shot bolt and move up from there . but as stated by other members safety safety safety
Chad4000
08-20-2012, 13:10
I went polymer 9mm.... I still think that is a great first gun choice...
Honestly you cant go wrong with a Ruger 10 22, or really any rifle in .22LR. They are the most fun to shoot and you can practice all the skills that you need for any rifle that you shoot in the future. Not to mention that you get to put 500 rounds down range for $20. If you are getting into shooting for the enjoyment of shooting this is the way to go.
A safety course is a good idea, but at a bare minimum go with someone who knows how and where to shoot safely and research shooting safety before you go out. Also if you go to public lands to shoot, do not leave any trash behind though others will seem to think it is alright. It is the main reason that the ranges we are using for free are getting shut down. Pack it all out with you and try to shoot paper or bio-degradable targets all the time.
http://www.gunsafetynow.com/
Other than that have fun!
yankeefan98121
08-20-2012, 13:23
+1 on the bio-degradable targets. We like to set clay pigeons up around 100 yds and blast with the .22, fun cause you get to destroy a target and better that they're bd
Troublco
08-20-2012, 15:25
22 and 410 is a great place to start . id start with a single shot bolt and move up from there . but as stated by other members safety safety safety
Only problem IMHO is that a .410 is really an expert's gun. They have low recoil, but they're expensive to shoot and you need to be good to use one effectively. I've always thought that a 20 ga is a better one for learning; a bit more kick than a .410 but easily available, cheap, and easier to learn with.
I'll second the single shot bolt; that's what both of my kids learned on. Helps reinforce the basics, and keeps you from resorting to the spray and pray method.
I'll second the safety class; best to get familiar with firearms before getting really hands-on with them.
After that, I'd say think about what you want to do with it. Self-defense? Recreational shooting? A combination? Then ask around, and make your decision.
Hard to go wrong with a .22 rifle to start with, though. You can always use one. My first was a Ruger 10/22, and I still have it.
My thoughts exactly... I still have that first 10/22 also. A tubular magazine 22 rifle is fun too. A fella can do a lot with a 22 rifle, small game hunting, target shooting, competitions...
After you get a few rounds down range you'll have a better idea of what type of shooting you enjoy and therefore what gun fits your style. Took me a bit of experimentation.
islandermyk
08-20-2012, 15:41
I started with this right here...
http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp261/brutaltlr/The%20Guns%20and%20shoots%20and%20%20all%20related %20to%20it/HKUSP40SW.jpg
I got a great deal on this HK USP Tactical .40S&W back then.
Easy to shoot, cheap to shoot... and a lot more accurate than I ever was back then (maybe even till this day). On top of it all... it had the cool factor [Tooth]
I'm pointing out starting with a pistol. Once you have that in your hands and play it as smart as you can... You'd be researching things (Firearms safety, Gun laws, self defense, etc...) of what you can do and what you can't do with'em for days... if not weeks... and yea, youtube does help [Coffee]
The best part is learning how it all functions... and yes, learning how to shoot the thing... and then learning how to shoot better than people around you at the range [Tooth]
... give that some time.... and the addiction just gets worse [Beer]
HoneyBadger
08-20-2012, 18:24
Honestly you cant go wrong with a Ruger 10 22, or really any rifle in .22LR. They are the most fun to shoot and you can practice all the skills that you need for any rifle that you shoot in the future. Not to mention that you get to put 500 rounds down range for $20. If you are getting into shooting for the enjoyment of shooting this is the way to go.
BIG +1 on the Ruger 10-22. I grew up shooting one and I just bought one last week and I can't believe I've gone all this time without one! Great gun for learning good and safe shooting.
Holger Danske
08-20-2012, 18:43
Another vote for the Ruger 10/22. If you go this route be sure to get some of the Ruger BX25 magazines. They rock (as does the 10/22).
daknee_k
08-20-2012, 19:01
My first gun was an old Daisy pal. First firearm, Ruger 10-22. YEARS of fun with each of them. Do some reading, keep asking around, and go down to the gun store and handle some of them. You'll find something that really floats your boat but don't buy it right away until you do a little research.
The safety course is a must if you haven't been raised with one in your hands. Be safe and have fun!
[Flower]
Just talked to him, his budget for now is in the $700 range, just not able to post at the moment.
daknee_k
08-20-2012, 19:09
Good! Get a 22 and LOTS of ammo! Good training course and he's set!
Goodburbon
08-20-2012, 19:09
Safety course
Ruger 10/22
Take a class. Then +1 for the Ruger 10/22 or even a .22 pistol such as the Ruger MK II. 22 ammo is cheap and plentiful. Each firearm can be had for a couple hundred bucks. You can get a box of 500 rounds for less than 20 bucks. You can hunt small game with them. You can target shoot all day for a few bucks. You can learn shooting fundamentals and wont pick up bad habits (like flinching) as easy as you would a larger caliber with greater recoil.
I want more info. These friends you want to shoot with, what do they shoot? It would seem a little silly to me if you bought something totally different than what they are shooting and then went out with them and couldn't fully participate in the fun they were having.
This is a great bunch of guys here and I am sure many of them would be glad to let you put a few rounds through some different types of firearms if you wanted.
[Beer]
islandermyk
08-20-2012, 19:50
.
This is a great bunch of guys here and I am sure many of them would be glad to let you put a few rounds through some different types of firearms if you wanted.
[Beer]
Sure... but he's buying the ammo [Stooge]
I want more info. These friends you want to shoot with, what do they shoot? It would seem a little silly to me if you bought something totally different than what they are shooting and then went out with them and couldn't fully participate in the fun they were having.
This is a great bunch of guys here and I am sure many of them would be glad to let you put a few rounds through some different types of firearms if you wanted.
[Beer]
A few of us here at work... I shoot the AR (soon to have a 22 conversion) and the G30 primarily, someone else here shoots his PX4 Storm (9mm) 12ga and 30-06. Someone else has a 410/45 derringer.Will probably take someone else out with an AK, AR, and a few 1911s (45 and 22).
A few of us here at work... I shoot the AR (soon to have a 22 conversion) and the G30 primarily, someone else here shoots his PX4 Storm (9mm) 12ga and 30-06. Will probably take someone else out with an AK, AR, and a few 1911s (45 and 22).
Thanks. In that case, I am going to recommend an AR. Why? Cheap and plentiful ammunition, low recoil, and just plain fun to shoot. You want to shoot fast and do mag dumps or whatever? The AR will do it. You want to take careful, aimed shots at 100, 200, 300 yards and actually hit something? The AR will do that too. You like to tinker with stuff and modify things? The AR is right up your alley. You find yourself needing to defend yourself or your loved ones? The AR is no slouch in that department either. Worried you might not like it and will decide to sell it at some point? I would guess you will recover a large part of your investment later on if you decide to sell it.
Anyhow, that's my recommendation.
Sorry i've had a busy day started school today. Anyways classes are something that sounds like a good step i may take that up. An AR and a .22 conversion sounds like a great idea yet HAHA however my max spending right now is $700---anyways got to fly people im at work on break so if i didnt reply to your comment specificly just wait i promise i will review everything--- ps GUNNER i can understand that my friends are real proper no adolescent shooting will be done. Thanks a lot everyone!
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